Bright has achieved stateside recognition as a performer but has been based out of Budapest, where “Phetish” was shot over the past few years. Previous films for Mercenary Europe include “Hell’s Angels,” a lesbian fetish movie that had scenes too graphic for the title to be released in the United States, and this year’s “Prophet of Fear.”
Lexington Steele, who does not usually appear in fetish films but who often shoots in Europe, joined a cast that included Bright, Yvette Balcano, Simony Diamond, Jenifer, Vanessa Hil, Lilit and Angela Winter.
"I choose to shoot in Europe and use European performers in my productions abroad and domestically because their girls haven't been shot by everyone,” Steele told XBiz. “[European talent’s] overall level of professionalism is very attractive.”
Steele noted that European porn isn’t segmented similar to American consumer demand, saying there wasn’t as big a call for “interracial” content there.
“Europeans don’t demonstrate any racial bias in porn,” Steele said, adding that the porn star experience in Europe is different from that in California's San Fernando Valley.
“The circles that I travel in around Europe are not outside where other gonzo companies associate,” he said. “Personally, I find the regard for adult stars outside the U.S. to be on par with mainstream stars.”
Bright will continue being the European face of Mercenary, Steele said. “You would be very hard pressed to find someone with the sort of credentials, in front of and behind the camera, as you do with Mandy,” he said.